Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

Lib2011-136

Incident date

August 5, 2011

Location

المليعب, Al Mleeb, Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

32.027635, 12.593237

Airwars assessment

Between 28 and 49 people, including 28 men, were killed by Gaddafi forces in Al Mleeb in the vicinity of Al Qalaa village on August 5, 2011 according to various sources, including a video on ImazighenLibya’s YouTube and a post on Safit Al Somoud’s Facebook.

A graphic video posted by ImazighenLibya shows rows of dead bodies, more than 15, many of them with their hands tied behind their backs. Graphic images posted by Safit al Somood show some of the victims covered in mud. Other videos and images posted by various other sources show hundreds of people attending the funeral for the victims.

Names of victims killed:

M’hamed Ahmed Ghida

Muhammad Ghida, son of M’hamed Ahmed Ghida

Fouad Ghida, nephew of M’hamed Ahmed Ghida

Ashraf Abu Kassem Saleh Al-Ezabi

Abu Kassem Al-Ezabi,, father of Ashraf Abu Kassem Saleh Al-Ezabi

al-Hashemi Muhammad al-Shator

Muhammad Al-Shator, father of al-Hashemi Muhammad al-Shator

Mhammed Muhammad Al-Shator, younger brother of al-Hashemi Muhammad al-Shator

Saleh Ali Omar

Salem Suleiman Ali Khalifa

Rabie Saeed Omar Al-Ezabi

M’hamed Ajal

Yusef Ajal, son of M’hamed Ajal

Mhamed Suleiman Al-Baden

Ali Mhamed Suleiman Al-Baden, son of Mhamed Suleiman Al-Baden

Salem Younis Kreir

Saeed Ali Othman

Uribi Othman, brother of Saeed Ali Othman

Suleiman Abdul Salam Ajal

Abd al-Salam Ajal, father of Suleiman Abdul Salam Ajal

Abdullah Ammhamad (Al-Dardouri)

Muhammad Mhammed Al-Harari

Mahmo al-Harari, brother of Muhammad Mhammed Al-Harari

Uncle of Muhammad Mhammed Al-Harari

Uncle of Muhammad Mhammed Al-Harari

Abdul Hamid Qarad Al-Taher

Talal Al-Hadi Omar Oreibi

Omar Qirqab Ahmed Al-Baden

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

M'hamed Ahmed Ghid
Adult male killed
Muhammad Ghida
Adult male Son of M'hamed Ahmed Ghida killed
Fouad Ghida
Adult male Nephew of M'hamed Ahmed Ghida killed

Family members (2)

Ashraf Abu Kassem Saleh Al-Ezabi
Adult male killed
Abu Kassem Al-Ezabi,
Adult male Father of Ashraf Abu Kassem Saleh Al-Ezabi killed

Family members (3)

al-Hashemi Muhammad al-Shator
Adult male killed
Muhammad Al-Shator
Adult male Father of al-Hashemi Muhammad al-Shator killed
Mhammed Muhammad Al-Shator
Age unknown male Younger brother of al-Hashemi Muhammad al-Shator injured

Family members (2)

M'hamed Ajal
Adult male killed
Yusef Ajal
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Mhamed Suleiman Al-Baden
Adult male killed
Ali Mhamed Suleiman Al-Baden, Son of Mhamed Suleiman Al-Baden
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Saeed Ali Othman
male killed
Uribi Othman
male Brother of Saeed Ali Othman killed

Family members (2)

Suleiman Abdul Salam Ajal
Adult male killed
Abd al-Salam Ajal
Adult male Father of Suleiman Abdul Salam Ajal injured

Family members (4)

Muhammad Mhammed Al-Harari
male killed
Mahmo al-Harari
male killed
Uncle of Muhammad Mhammed Al-Harari
male killed
Uncle of Muhammad Mhammed Al-Harari
male killed

The victims were named as:

Saleh Ali Omar
Adult male killed
Salem Suleiman Ali Khalifa
Adult male killed
Rabie Saeed Omar Al-Ezabi
Adult male killed
Salem Younis Kreir
Adult male killed
Abdullah Ammhamad (Al-Dardouri)
Adult male killed
Abdul Hamid Qarad Al-Taher
Adult male killed
Talal Al-Hadi Omar Oreibi
Age unknown male killed
Omar Qirqab Ahmed Al-Baden
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30 – 49
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (46) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • August 5 victims

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    August 5 victims

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    August 5 victims

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    August 5 victims

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    August 5 victims

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    August 5 victims
  • M'hamed Ahmed Ghida
  • Ashraf Abu Kassem Saleh Al-Ezabi
  • Abu Kassem Al-Ezabi,
  • al-Hashemi Muhammad al-Shator
  • Mhammed Muhammad Al-Shator
  • Saleh Ali Omar
  • Salem Suleiman Ali Khalifa
  • Rabie Saeed Omar Al-Ezabi
  • M'hamed Ajal
  • Mhamed Suleiman Al-Baden
  • Salem Younis Kreir
  • Saeed Ali Othman
  • Suleiman Abdul Salam Ajal
  • Abdullah Ammhamad (Al-Dardouri)
  • Uribi Ali Othman
  • Muhammad Mhammed Al-Harari
  • Fouad Abdullah Ahmed Ghida
  • Abdul Salam Ajal
  • Talal Al-Hadi Omar Oreibi
  • Abdul Hamid Qarad Al-Taher
  • Mahmoud Mhamed Al-Harari
  • Mohammed Al-Shator
  • Muhammad M'hamed Ghida
  • Omar Qirqab Ahmed Al-Baden
  • Ali Mhamed Suleiman Al-Baden
  • Yusef Mhammed Ajal

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Mleeb (المليعب) area, in the vicinity of Al Qalaa (القلعة) village, for which the generic coordinates are: 32.027635, 12.593237. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30 – 49
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-137

Incident date

August 8, 2011

Location

مجمعات قفوز وجرود السكنية, Gafuz and Jarud residential compounds, Murqub, Libya

Geolocation

32.374252, 14.577292 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 34 and 85 civilians were allegedly killed in NATO airstrikes on the Majer area of Zliten. The event marks the biggest reported loss of civilian life from NATO strikes during the first Libyan Civil War.

An Amnesty International field investigation found: “On the evening of 8 August 2011 two houses were struck in Majer (near Zlitan, west of Misratah). Munitions remnants found at the site contain the marking: ‘for MK82 bomb’, an air-delivered munition which, according to Amnesty International’s information, was used by participating forces in Operation Unified Protector in numerous other strikes. According to members of the family who survived the attack, 34 civilians, including eight children and eight women, were killed and several were injured in three separate attacks.”

A BBC story confirms the times given by Amnesty International: “For Libya’s government, what happened south of Zlitan in the village of Majar is proof that Nato, contrary to its mandate, is not protecting civilians. Officials believe the alliance is engaged in regime change, at whatever cost. Almost 48 hours after the first strike hit the cluster of buildings in the countryside to the south of Zlitan, Nato said it had completed its assessment of what happened. It confirmed it had hit the area, targeting four buildings and nine vehicles at the site between 23.33 on Monday and 02.34 on Tuesday. The times for the strikes correspond with those given by people in the area.”

Human Rights Watch reported the same number of casualties from its own investigation saying: “Beginning around 11:30 p.m. on August 8, 2011, during Ramadan, NATO aircraft dropped bombs on four houses in Majer, a rural village about 10 kilometers south of the town of Zliten. The first bomb hit a large, two-story house owned by Ali Hamid Gafez, a 61-year-old farmer. Gafez, his relatives and neighbors told Human Rights Watch that the house was crowded at the time with people who had fled the fighting in nearby areas, such as Dafniya, Zdow, and Naima, as well as Benghazi. A report prepared by the families of the victims said the Gafez house held 82 people on the night of the attack. They said the strike killed 14 of these people and wounded 17.”

It added: “Some moments after the first strike, NATO bombs hit two houses in a nearby compound belonging to the al-Jarud family. One of the bombs killed three women and a baby girl of the family, relatives and witnesses said. Family members and neighbors came rushing to help. Between 10 and 20 minutes later, another bomb struck just outside the al-Jarud compound. This bomb killed 18 men and wounded 15 others who had come to help. […] A fourth bomb then hit a nearby house owned by Mohamed Musbah al-Jarud, which was unoccupied at the time.”

The NGO further reported that “in the course of its investigation, including the day after the attack, Human Rights Watch found no evidence of military activity at either of the compounds, such as weapons, ammunition, or communications equipment that would have suggested a military target.”

On the munitions used, it said: “During its December 2011 visit, Human Rights Watch inspected remnants of the bombs that the families said had hit their homes, including fins from a GBU-12 laser guided bomb. These bombs use a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR), a type of high-zoom night vision with an infrared camera and a laser designator to target the bomb, which would have allowed the pilot to guide the bombs to the target. Indeed, NATO told Human Rights Watch that it used precision-guided munitions in the strike, all of which reached their target.”

The Alma’em tribes condolence pages said: “There are also a large number of the wounded and the seriously injured, some of them who lost a limb and some who lost his vision, and among the injured are children, women and men who came to help children and women.”

The Majer Zliten Massacre condolence page put the death toll at 36 and the injuries at 38, most of them women and children.

Media close to the Gaddafi regime put the death toll at 85. Quoting Dr Moussa Ibrahim, Libyan Government Spokesperson in Majer Town at the time, these included 33 children, 20 men and 32 women. The BBC said on the numbers: “Civilians were injured – and it seems killed. The government says 33 of them were children. But they showed international journalists the bodies of just two.” For Libya’s then-government, what happened south of Zlitan in the village of Majar was claimed to be proof that Nato, contrary to its mandate, was not protecting civilians. Officials said they believed the alliance was engaged in regime change, at whatever cost.

Almost 48 hours after the first strike hit the cluster of buildings in the countryside to the south of Zlitan, Nato said it had completed its assessment of what had happened. It confirmed it had hit the area, targeting four buildings and nine vehicles at the site between 23.33 on Monday and 02.34 on Tuesday. It has never publicly accepted causing civilian harm in this event.

Airwars later spoke to the father of one of the victims for a joint investigation with Foreign Policy: “‘Then everything was black, we couldn’t see anything. After the smoke subsided it was clear the second floor was destroyed,’ Juwaili told Foreign Policy.
The men rushed forward, searching through the rubble for survivors. Fifteen minutes later, another strike killed many of the rescuers.
Juwaili hunted frantically for his 2-year-old daughter, Arwa, eventually finding her lifeless under the rubble. ‘Thank God her body was not ripped apart,’ he said.”

Another relative of a victim, interviewed for an article in Responsible Statecraft, told Airwars: “‘My message to NATO is that they have to come and witness the amount of destruction they left behind,’ Mariam Jaroud, whose sister lost a leg in the attack, told Responsible Statecraft. ‘Many of the families lost dear ones, others became orphans and we are still suffering.'”

The incident occured between 11:33 pm and 2:34 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Aballah Mohammed al-Raqiq
Child male killed
Ahmed Mohammed al-Raqiq
Child male killed
Hana Mohammed al-Raqiq
Child male killed
Mansiya Khalif Hiblu
Child female pregnant Nine-months pregnant with twins killed
Riham Ali Ali al-Raqiq
Child female killed
Hiyam al-Raqiq
Child female killed
Su’ad Salim Sultan
Adult female killed
Abdel Muhimen Fathi al-Jarushi
7 years old male killed

Family members (4)

Hanan al-Ferjani
Adult female killed
Salma
0 years old female killed
Salma Mohammed Abu Hasina al-Ja’arud
Adult female killed
Fatima ‘Aquil Salah al-Ja’arud
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Hanan Ali Ali Hamed Gafez
Age unknown female killed
Salima Mohammed
Adult female killed
Su’ad Salim Sultan
Adult female killed
Arwa ‘Atiya Jweily
2 years old female killed
Mosbah Salim El Jahsh
Adult male killed
Moatouq Ali Sharaf El Deen
Adult male killed
Ali Salim El Jahsh
Adult male killed
Mostafa Ali Akdeesh
Adult male killed
Khalifa Mohamed Mansour Bin Ramadan
Adult male killed
Jumaa Ali El Hami
Adult male killed
Mostafa Ibrahim Absaat
Adult male killed
Ali Salama Abdullah El Hadami
Adult male killed
Fathi Omar Absaat
Adult male killed
Attia Ali Absaat
Adult male killed
Ali Maftah Mohamed El Jahsh
Adult male killed
Fathi Abdel Salam El Taweel
Adult male killed
Salem Omar Salem Waram
Adult male killed
Khaled Mubarak El Jaaroud
Adult male killed
Attia Mohamed Al Jarud
Adult male killed
Attia Ali Al Jarud
Adult male killed
Ibrahim Mansour Al Jarud
Adult male killed
Arhouma Fathi Arhouma Adreneesh
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    34 – 85
  • (8–33 children8–32 women18–20 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    32–38
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (47) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (28) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of alleged victims of NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Alleged victim of NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Pictures of alleged victims of NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Alleged victim of NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Pictures of alleged victims of NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Pictures of alleged victims of NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Alleged victim of NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Ahmed Muhammad al-Raqiq, allegedly killed by NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Children allegedly killed in NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Munition allegedly used in NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Victims allegedly killed by NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Victims allegedly killed by NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • Body bags at Zliten Hospital after NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • Body bags at Zliten Hospital after NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes on residential compounds in the village of Majer (مــــاجر). The house of Gafuz (جافوز) at 32.374631, 14.574858, the house of Jarud (الحعرود) at 32.373767, 14.578633, and a third building of undisclosed owner ship at 32.37540, 14.57595 . The exact location of which has been published by New York Times and Human Rights Watch. The generic coordinates between these three points are 32.374252, 14.577292.

  • Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes on residential compounds in the village of Majer (مــــاجر). The house of Gafuz (جافوز), the house of Jarud (الحعرود), and a third building of undisclosed ownership. The exact location of which has been published by New York Times and Human Rights Watch.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Under investigation
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

NATO forces
  • Mar 8, 2012

  • The four buildings assessed in the questions relating to Majer were deliberate targets, based on their functioning as a troop staging area. They were located within a farm compound in a rural area. On the basis of observation and other intelligence, it was assessed that no civilians were in the area, and none were observed at the time of the attack or of the subsequent re-strike of one of those buildings. If civilians had been identified, standard procedure was to abort the drop or, if noticed after time of release, to direct a laser-guided weapon away from the target area. This incident is under further assessment.

Original strike reports

NATO forces
Official source

In the vicinity of Zlitan: 1 Military Facility, 1 Communications System.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    34 – 85
  • (8–33 children8–32 women18–20 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    32–38
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (47) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-138

Incident date

August 9, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.374457, 15.087794 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 16 people, identified as Egyptian workers, were killed by Gaddafi forces on August 9, 2011 in Misrata according to Abdul Asallak’s post on YouTube and a tweet by @tounsiahourra.

Multiple sources stated that those killed were Egyptian workers who worked in a warehouse in the Kararim area of Misrata. A video posted by Abdul Asallak’s on YouTube shows more than 10 dead bodies in a pile.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Misurata (مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.374457, 15.087794. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-140

Incident date

August 10, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misrata, Libya

Geolocation

32.374457, 15.087794 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On August 10th, 2011, Gaddafi forces reportedly fired between four to eight rockets at Misurata. A single source claims three had arrived in the hospital during the bombings, and an another source mentions injuries without providing a number. It was unclear how many of those who arrived at the hospital were injured, killed, as well as their combatant status.

An Al Somood Facebook post shows blood being take from an injured man in a hospital, and a brief interview with a doctor, showing two people injured, reportedly due to the Gaddafi strikes.

A misratapost tweet mentions “8 Grad rockets fell on the eastern region of Misurata, believed to have come from Tawergha.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–3
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–3

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Misrata (مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.374457, 15.087794. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–3
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–3

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-139

Incident date

August 11, 2011

Location

تاورغاء‎, Tawergha, Misrata, Libya

Geolocation

32.053695, 15.048778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 24 and 74 civilians, including at least 2 women, in Tawergha were killed by shelling and rockets launched allegedly by the rebels and/or NATO as they advanced into the town after taking control of Misurata. Civilian homes were struck by shells and were killed and injured, eventually resulting in a massive exodus of the population. The shelling took place from August 10-12, 2011.

Mukhtar.altawaragi posted on Facebook that as many as 74 people were killed during the shelling and named Salah Ahmed Gaddafi, Muhammad Al-Hamali Musa, and Abdul Salam Saleh Laban as being killed.

Khal.eltawrghi posted a list of 24 names, including Abdullah Al-Zaidi, Abdulmutallab, Ameryhel Salem, Abdel Halim Suleiman, Muftah Qurallah, Ahmed Mustafa Gaddafi, Colonel Gomaa Mabrouk, Kamal Al-Hamali, Muammar Al-Toumi, Khaled Qurifa and his mother, the old woman Saliba, Saleh Al Shakshak and his family, Haji Ahmed Al Shakshak and his family, the Joubran family, Musa Al-Ajili, Sheikh Mabrouk Elyan, Ahmed Alyan, Alyan Milad, Mahmoud Sweilam, Ashour Salem, the teacher Juma Salihin, Ibn Thabet, the old man Awad and Muftah Harib.

Some homes were completely destroyed from the shelling, especially in the Al-Kosha neighborhood.

A Facebook post by Sabha 17th Feb identified Professor Saleh al-Shakshak and his family, including Abd al-Rahman al-Shakshak, as being killed by the bombing in Tawergha, which is composed of 7-8 people. Tawergha Local Council reported that one of the sons of Saleh al-Shakshak survived the attack.

A Facebook post by Tawrgha and 17th feb revolution identified the Gibran family as being killed inside of their house.

Jumaa Salihin Ali, a teacher, was identified by Why Taghoura as being killed in Tawergha.

Mabrouk Elyan, who is the imam of a mosque in Tawergha, was identified by Tawragha martyrs as being killed.

A video was posted by THE.SON.OF.TAWARGAH showing Kamal Al-Hamali, who was allegedly killed.

Airwars later spoke to one of the relatives of the victims: “‘130 men from Tawergha are missing ever since, and no one knows anything about them. They were taken by the rebels. My brother is one of them,’ Gabriel Farag, who also had to flee Tawergha, told Airwars. ‘These 130 men were arrested just for the mere fact that they are from Tawergha.'”

The incident occured at 11:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Saleh al-Shakshak and his family
male killed
Abd Al Rahman Al Shakshak
killed

Family members (1)

Gibran family
killed

Family members (1)

Khaled Qurifa and his mother
killed

Family members (1)

Haji Ahmed Al Shakshak and his family

Family members (1)

the Joubran family

The victims were named as:

Jumaa Salihin Ali
Adult male a teacher in education killed
Abdel Halim Suleiman Abu Sadeegh
Adult male killed
Salah Ahmed Gaddafi صلاح أحمد القذافي
Age unknown killed
Muhammad Al-Hamali Musa محمد الهمالي موسى
Age unknown killed
Abdul Salam Saleh Laban عبدالسلام صالح لبن
Age unknown killed
Mabrouk Elyan
Adult male imam of a mosque in Tawergha killed
Kamal Al-Hamali
Adult male killed
Abdullah Al-Zaidi
Age unknown male killed
Abdulmutallab
Age unknown male killed
Ameryhel Salem
Age unknown male killed
Muftah Qurallah
Age unknown male killed
Colonel Gomaa Mabrouk
Age unknown male killed
Muammar Al-Toumi
Age unknown male killed
the old woman Saliba
Age unknown female killed
Musa Al-Ajili
Age unknown killed
Ahmed Alyan
Age unknown killed
Alyan Milad
Age unknown killed
Mahmoud Sweilam
Age unknown killed
Ashour Salem
Age unknown killed
Ibn Thabet
Age unknown killed
old man Awad
Age unknown killed
Muftah Harib
Age unknown killed
Khaled Qurayfa
Age unknown male carried his handicapped mother on his shoulders and ran with her killed
Atiqa Hadiri
Age unknown female at Gate 14, who was taken by zeal and fever, carried a Kalashnikov assault rifle defending Tawergha and was martyred killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 74
  • (2 women1 man2–74 undetermined)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, NATO forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Jumaa Salihin Ali ... a teacher in education, the date of martyrdom 13/8/2011 in Tawergha

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abdel Halim Suleiman Abu Sadeegh ... was killed while entering Tawergha
  • Mabrouk Elyan, who is the imam of a mosque in Tawergha, was killed.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Sheikh Mabrouk Elyan, who was killed in Tawergha
  • son of the late Salih al-Shakshak that survived the attack on Tawergha on August 11, 2011
  • Images of TAWARGAH on August 11, 2011
  • Images of TAWARGAH on August 11, 2011

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tawergha (تاورغاء‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.053695, 15.048778. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 74
  • (2 women1 man2–74 undetermined)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, NATO forces

Incident Code

Lib2011-142

Incident date

August 20, 2011

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.886602, 13.190912 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 15 people were killed in Tripoli on August 20, 2011 according to an Islamtoday post on Facebook. It is unknown whether those killed were civilians or fighters and it is unknown who killed them. The bodies were buried around the time that the Libyan revolutionaries attacked Libya.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 15
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–15

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Tripoli (طرابلس‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.886602, 13.190912. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 15
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–15

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-143

Incident date

August 21, 2011

Location

كوبرى الهضبة الشرقية , Eastern Hill Bridge, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.857472, 13.209339 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 60 and 72 people were killed near the Eastern Hill Bridge on a highway in Tripoli by Gaddafi forces on August 21, 2011 according to multiple posts and videos, including Gharyan Radio and Libyan People Youtube.

A video posted by Wasat Al Bilad shows multiple men with guns blocking a road and interacting with cars as they drive by. Gharyan Radio posted images of the suspected killers and describes them as making a fake gate in the road and stopping everyone and killing some. A video posted by Libyan People shows two men beating two other men in the street and you can hear men screaming, as well as gunshots.

Names of those killed:

Muhammad Yunus al-Muhajir

Issam Muhammad al-Taher

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Yunus al-Muhajir
Age unknown male killed
Issam Muhammad al-Taher,
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    60 – 72
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    August 22, 2011

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Eastern Hill Bridge (  كوبرى الهضبة الشرقية ) in the city of Tripoli, for which the generic coordinates are: 32.857472, 13.209339. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    60 – 72
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-144

Incident date

August 21, 2011

Location

غرغور, Gharghour, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.374457, 15.087794 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 17 people were killed in the Gargur district in Tripoli by pro-Gaddafi forces according to BBC News.

Human Rights Watch says that pro-Gaddafi forces were holding the dead in a building belonging to the Libyan Internal Security Forces and that they were physically tortured before they were killed. According to a doctor, half of the dead were shot in the back of the head, making it hard to identify their faces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (17 other protected persons)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the area of Gharghour (غرغور) in Tripoli (طرابلس‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.374457, 15.087794. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the area of Gharghour (غرغور) in Tripoli (طرابلس‎).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (17 other protected persons)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]